Music, theater and studio artists highlight Aug. 20 event
The San Benito County Arts Council and Hollister Youth Alliance
will host Music and Theater in the Park, Aug. 20, from 1 p.m. to 7
p.m. at Dunne Park.
For the second year in a row, musicians will take the stage at
Dunne Park for the free family friendly event.
Music, theater and studio artists highlight Aug. 20 event
The San Benito County Arts Council and Hollister Youth Alliance will host Music and Theater in the Park, Aug. 20, from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Dunne Park.
For the second year in a row, musicians will take the stage at Dunne Park for the free family friendly event.
There had been talk last year of expanding the music series over a full weekend or to multiple Saturdays across a month, but for this year the event will be one day.
“We have big ideas, but we are still a small organization,” said Jennifer Laine, the executive director of the Arts Council, of the decision to keep it a one-day event. “Rather than jump from a small, successful event we want to take one step at a time.”
For now, she said the council decided to focus on slowly growing the event a little at a time. One of the additions this year includes a performance by the San Benito Stage Company.
“We are slowly interested in turning it into more of an arts in the park,” Laine said. “Last year was a really mellow event. We wanted to increase some of the different artists.”
That’s why they added the theater performance this year. Laine said the council approached San Benito Stage Company, but left the type of performance up to them. She said that they selected to do a variety show based on which members of the stage company were available, since some people are still away on summer vacations. Laine also talked with El Teatro Campesino, whose company could not fit the event into their busy summer schedule, but Laine said they are open to working with them in the future.
The San Benito Stage Company performance will kick off Music and Theater in the Park, at 1 p.m., with four musical acts to follow.
They include soloist Miguel Alvarez and Jim Aceves, and bands Smokin’ Roses and Somos. The musical artists were chosen to offer a variety of styles that will appeal to many groups in the community, particularly families. Alvarez will perform romantic/bolero, Aceves performs country, the Smokin’ Rudies play jazz and bossa nova, and Somos play funk and soul. Some of the acts are based in Hollister, but all of them are from the central coast.
Also this year some studio artists will have booths with merchandise for sale. Some of the artists include Shannon Grissom and Darlene Boyd. The San Benito County Arts Council will also have a booth with raffle tickets for sale to raise money for the nonprofit organization. Some of the prizes include original artwork, gift certificates and stuff for children.
New this year, too, the Hollister Youth Alliance will be selling healthy snacks and drinks at the festival. The Hollister Youth Alliance has been working on a grant for the last year to improve Dunne Park and to increase its use in the community. One of their objectives it so offer healthy snacks at the park.
Laine said the students will be selling the refreshments and the money will fund HYA field trips or activities.
“They have great ideas,” she said. “We have access to a youthful resource…it benefits us because it provides food and drinks to the audience so it works out really well.”
The switch from a concert series on the roof of the Briggs Building parking garage to Dunne Park last year has been successful, Laine said.
“It can accommodate more people,” she said. “It’s more for families. Last year we saw families out with a picnic. Kids can play at the playground while parents listen to the music.”
The funding for the Music and Theater in the Parks event comes from the Community Foundation for San Benito County and the California Arts Council. Laine said the event costs $2,000 to $3,000 for equipment rental, such as a generator, publicity for the event and a small honorarium for the musicians.
“In the future we hope to do it over a weekend, with a whole day devoted to theater and a whole day to music,” Laine said. “We could maybe add some up-and-coming bands, some rock ‘n roll and some teenage (bands.)”
